RSPCA Cymru is celebrating as the Welsh Government announces its intention to ban the use of glue traps, after two Senedd Members tabled legislative proposals from the charity which would have outlawed the devices in Wales.
In its policy response to the Agriculture (Wales) Bill’s White Paper, the Welsh Government has announced plans to ensure the legislation will “amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to ban the use of snares and glue traps” in Wales.
While the Welsh Government had previously announced plans to ban snares in its programme for government, this is the first time they have committed to doing the same for deadly glue traps too.
Glue traps, also known as ‘glue boards’ or ‘sticky boards’, consist of a sheet of plastic, cardboard or wood coated with non-drying adhesive designed to trap rodents such as mice and rats as they cross the board.
The announcement follows the RSPCA’s recent #LawsForPaws campaign, where animal lovers across Wales sent thousands of emails to their Members of the Senedd, urging them to use the Welsh Parliament’s first ballot for Member-proposed legislation for three years to propose RSPCA-backed animal-friendly proposals, including a Glue Trap Offences (Wales) Bill.
Three RSPCA-backed bill ideas were put into the ballot, including two proposals which would have banned the use of glue traps, tabled by Vikki Howells MS and Andrew RT Davies MS. While neither got lucky when the ballot was drawn, the Welsh Government has responded by – only days after the ideas were submitted – confirming it will now ban the use of glue traps in Wales.
In England, Wolverhampton North East MP Jane Stevenson has the UK Government backing for her Private Member’s Bill, the Glue Traps (Offences) Bill, which will ban these devices in England.
David Bowles, the head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “Glue traps are horrible devices – and our officers have been left shocked and horrified by the awful injuries inflicted to wildlife, pets and other animals.
“These traps can cause immense pain and suffering to animals, and should have no place in modern Wales. So we’re absolutely delighted that the Welsh Government has now announced plans to outlaw glue traps once and for all, as it outlines its next steps linked to the landmark Agriculture (Wales) Bill. This follows earlier announced plans to ban snares too.”
